Nigerian music icon Sir Shina Peters has revealed that he became a father at just 14 years old, shedding light on the challenges and rapid progression of his early life during a recent appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast.

Speaking candidly, the Afro-Juju pioneer described a whirlwind adolescence defined by early success, fame, and adult responsibilities far beyond his years.

“I started my career at the age of 10, bought a car at 13, became a father at 14, and built a house at 16,” Peters said during the interview, reflecting on how quickly he had to mature in the spotlight.

The veteran musician, now in his 60s, described the era as one where he was “not afraid” to take bold steps — even when they came with heavy consequences. Becoming a father so young, he admitted, was one of the early realities that shaped his life and career.

Career Milestones Amid Personal Struggles

Shina Peters rose to national prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s with his electrifying fusion of Juju and Afrobeat, becoming a household name with albums like Ace (Afro-Juju Series 1).

However, in his recent comments, he suggested that the very industry that catapulted him to fame has evolved in ways that now leave him creatively sidelined.

“I can’t go back to the studio,” he said. “The music industry today is no longer conducive for me. I don’t even know what to sing anymore.”

He added that much of what is celebrated in the current music scene lacks the soul and substance he once poured into his art.

On Fame and Fan Base

In a surprising demographic insight, the Juju maestro stated that 65% of his fans are Igbo, not Yoruba — despite his roots in Ogun State.

“Most of my support came from the East,” he revealed, noting the loyalty of his Igbo audience throughout his career. “The love I received from the Igbo community kept me going.”

Generational Impact and Family Reflections

Peters’ personal life also entered the spotlight, particularly his relationship with his son, Clarence Peters, a renowned music video director. Though father and son have maintained a distant relationship for many years, Clarence has publicly acknowledged the influence — both positive and painful — of his father’s legacy.

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While Sir Shina did not go into detail about his relationship with Clarence during the podcast, his earlier admission in interviews hints at longstanding regret over missed opportunities in fatherhood and emotional connection.

A Life of Early Triumphs, Lingering Questions

Sir Shina Peters’ revelations have reignited conversations around the pressures placed on young talents in the entertainment industry, especially during Nigeria’s formative pop culture years. His story, marked by rapid success and personal sacrifices, continues to resonate with both older fans and a younger generation grappling with fame in a digital age.

His statement — “I became a father at 14” — is more than a headline. It is a sobering reminder of the costs of early fame, and the complex legacy that artists like Peters carry even after the spotlight fades.